Ian Moore

Encouraged by his parents, Ian Moore took up the violin at age six, moving to guitar nine years later. The Austin-based blues-rocker's early influences included the Beatles, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Sly & the Family Stone. Moore gained experience touring as a guitarist with Joe Ely; this led the way to a solo tour opening for the Rolling Stones and ZZ Top. He then signed with Capricorn; three records followed from 1993-95: Ian Moore, Live from Austin EP and Modernday Folklore.

It was his last Capricorn release, Modernday Folklore, that suggested that the Texan was looking beyond the blues-rock roots of his home state towards a more expansive sound. Hints of southern soul, gospel and Beatle-esque pop shook hands with the blues riffs that Moore had previously traded in exclusively. It was four years before his next album, but when Ian Moore's Got the Green Grass appeared in 1999, the transformation from blues-rocker was complete. His lauded guitar work wasn't abandoned, but was no longer the sole force driving Moore's songs. He continued to explore the blues, as well as highly crafted pop songs with his 2000 release, And All the Colors, creating a unique album dynamic in the process of balancing the two styles. Always noted for his live performances, Ian Moore released his first full length live album in 2001, Via Satellite, with his touring band Action Company. Where electric blues and atmospheric songwriting had been juggled on previous recordings, Via Satellite managed to meld the two with excellent effect. In 2004, Moore returned with his first release on the North Carolina based Yep Roc label, Luminaria. Three years later To Be Loved was issued on Justice.

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Comments

Ive seen Ian Moore multiple times ...been following him for years. He is freaking amazing with a guitar and mad singing &writing skills. Great show...and the nicest guy. Ive talked to him several times

I was fortunate enough to see Ian on a 'Blues Cruise' on Lake Champlain, VT many years ago. I stood 3 feet away from the band most of the evening. I will never forget that experience...powerful, awesome but intimate at the same time.

He is the closest heir apparent to Austin's blues rock tradition since Stevie Ray Vaughn passed. His vocals are angelic at times and his guitar work is over-powering in a good way. Austin needs him to return home to his roots. His pure emotive vocals, his guitar wailing blues, Ian is such a master of telling and playing it like it is. Come back to Austin Ian. There is big hole left in the Austin blues scene since you left for the Northwest.

Went to school with Ian in Austin. Watched him blow the doors off places like Steamboat,The Black Cat, and La Zona Rosa back in the day. I can honestly say he is one of the best guitarist I have ever seen. Keep on rockin Ian! Your boy jgodina.

Ian Moore has more talent than every finalist from shows like American Idol put together in a bucket. If you like amazing vocals, great songwriting, tasteful guitar playing, and beautiful melodies, do yourself a favor and check out Ian's last two studio albums, Luminaria and To Be Loved. If you want to see that he is not a "studio gimmick", get his live DVD "Live from the Cactus Cafe, featuring Ian on vocals and Acoustic Guitar and you can see just how talented he is.